The 2008 World Cup had some games on Channel 9. They treated in disgracefully, delayed coverage and were only interested in a couple of games so I am not upset to see them without it.

It is good for Aussie fans that all games will be FTA, but my one concern is that even the biggest games may be tucked away on a channel with a small market share (2-3%) - whilst the 2008 tournament may have had the majority of games on Fox with a very low available market share they did at least have some of the bigger events like the Opener, Aussie Semi and Final at least on Channel 9 at Prime Time.

If Seven Network announce that they will stage key games live on 7, then I will retract any kind of negative comment. They haven't done that and people shouldn't assume it will happen.

EDIT: Final point - the 2008 World Cup had games shown on a channel with 8 times the reach that 7mate has.

Kangaroos Test Matches and the RLWC final have to be shown on a primary channel as per anti-siphoning laws, so expect these to be syndicated on both channels.

This is not correct, Kangaroos matches including the RLWC are classified as 'Tier B' events on the anti-siphoning list, meaning that they must be on FTA networks but can be premiered on digital multi-channels (i.e. 7mate).

However, most Australians seem to think that this is a better than expected result regardless of whether or not the games are shown on the primary channel.

Good news about the TV deal down under. It would be great now if there were a few other deals elsewhere in the Middle East and North America to show matches. I saw the SL play-offs in 2011 in Oman via their satellite network so I hope this can be sorted for the World Cup. The US would be a perfect market to 'entice' sponsors to get involved.

Fox sports extra shows the NRL and SL and I watched the Exiles game on it the other week so I think Fox got some minor rights in this Tv deal and so could and hopefully will show some WC games,including the US games.

The only downside I can see is that Ch9 commentators for the rest of the season will likely not promote the RLWC

if it had been on Ch9 or one of its digital offshoots, we'd have loads of promotion for the rest of the season, and on the Footy Show, Sunday Footy Show etc

Ch9 are stupied; they could have used the RLWC coverage to continually promote the 2014 NRL season, too

Very short-sighted ...

Steve Mascord has written this in today's SMH:

5. The game they play on Seven

Channel Seven’s signing of an agreement to cover the World Cup is tremendous news and follows a similar deal in Britain, where regular league broadcaster Sky Sports lost out to upstart Premier Sports in rights negotiations. Rugby league has often lacked the confidence to share TV broadcasting rights around. International rugby league is essential for the sport to go to the next level commercially and, in the case of the broadcasters we already have, familiarity has bred contempt. You could argue it is in the interests of our domestic broadcasters for rugby league to remain a local, affordable commodity. They don’t care about international football and in that circumstance, we can either dance to their tune or go out and find someone who does care. Thankfully, we’ve done the latter. It could be a milestone decision.

Fox sports extra shows the NRL and SL and I watched the Exiles game on it the other week so I think Fox got some minor rights in this Tv deal and so could and hopefully will show some WC games,including the US games.

The RLWC rights were sold seperately to any other rights, so FSE showing the Exiles match will have no bearing on the WC

Have a cable, would already be able to watch it online free somewhere in the dark depths.. How's the quality?

Watched part of Thursday's Championship match on my laptop when the signal on TV went. Perfectly good. Have now realised that I've got a lot more flexibility where to watch Premier Sports and am not banished now to the back room TV that's got the Premier Sports subscription on.

Watched part of Thursday's Championship match on my laptop when the signal on TV went. Perfectly good. Have now realised that I've got a lot more flexibility where to watch Premier Sports and am not banished now to the back room TV that's got the Premier Sports subscription on.

Ahh, something to think about then! Thought I was gonna have to go round to the inlaws to watch it!

The RLWC rights were sold seperately to any other rights, so FSE showing the Exiles match will have no bearing on the WC

I am just basing this on post #599 where the poster states that Fox will be showing some of the WC games. If this is correct then thet mar retransmit them on their US outlest as they have done with NRL and SL.

I understand that the World Cup TV rights have bben sold separately but if Fox have a minor piece of that then what i suggested may ensue. I hope so. the exposure to the US marketis needed for the nascent US game especially seeing as how RU is really taking off over there.

I must say, unfortunately, having Gareth Widdop out for the season to me means the Poms' chances of winning the RLWC have dived big time: you have top forwards and good outside backs but your halves are ordinary ( No 1 halfback pick is now a kiwi: Rangi Chase, who's ordinary!)